Sunday, November 14, 2010

Best Feline Friend

My exact sentiments...

(The Sunday Times, 7 Nov 2010)

Catnip Eyeballs

Can't remember whether it was Grimlock or I who discovered these cat toys on the Cat Welfare Society website (look under Shop) - catnip eyeballs which come in a pack of two for $12, and in assorted colours.  Here is a video clip on Braun and Skoda having a good time with the catnip eyeballs.  Mikki does not react to catnip.

So, if you're looking at getting a cat toy for your cat(s) who enjoys catnip, this is something to consider and for a good cause.

"Give That Girl a Tiger!"

Here is a video clip on Skoda bringing down Tigger from the fridge.  This shows one of the methods that she uses; from the kitchen counter top.  Her other method is to leap up and pull it down - I'll try to capture her using this method one of these days (I hope)...

Mikki Turns Four

This year I was sure to be more timely with Mikki's anniversary post, lest she complains of having to nurse a broken heart again.  Well, I'm still late but an improvement right?  I hope she lets me off this time (the life of a human slave is hard, hahahaha...)

Mikki is a low-maintenance gal - she is agreeable with dry food and wet food (brand is a non-issue) and non-picky with treats (well, Skoda prefers certain type of treats over than others).  She drinks up readily (so much so that we once got her indicators checked, which turned out fine). 

Mikki is not a touchy-feely girl; she'll be sure to tell you when to stop with the stroking.  Beyond the festy appearance, I think she desires our attention.  Grimlock may be right; she is just being defensive (protective of herself).  She'll come rub herself against our legs so we can walk her to the kibbles bowl, and she'll look back and check you're still there before she'd tuck in.  She doesn't like our bedroom as much as the Other Two but if the Other Two are both sleeping in with us, she'll yowl and tap away at our bedroom door at unearthly hours (and so we'll only let Skoda or Braun sleep in with us).  Take this point from me: Cats are an assertive lot.

Mikki still adhors nail clipping, but she is getting better with bathing.  She doesn't like the Furminator too.  Since getting the cat tree last December, we've yet to see her step foot onto it - luring her with treats doesn't work too. 

Mikki still is My Puppy, and follows me around the house on the go (not my exclusive privilege lah, she treads after Grimlock too).  It is still work-in-progress when it comes to the dynamics between she and the Other Two - not close, just cordial and sparks from time-to-time.  I do think she feels a little left out at times (and so we'll give her extra and special attention).

This anniversary post would be incomplete without a walk down memory lane...

Mikki into her third week at the Cove.  Then she loved to perch on my thigh...

Mikki's maiden encounter with Skoda.  Our hearts were at our mouths...

Mikki putting Skoda's patience to the test in her days of being a kitten...

Mikki almost a year after her joining the family (she looks a tad pudgy here :) )...

Mikki, almost two years old here, striking a demure pose for the camera.  Her frame is quite petite so she doesn't quite "fill out" Pinky.

Mikki and her self-improvised "bed"...

One of Mikki's few photos taken with Braun...

吾家的老大跟老三 (the eldest and the youngest in the brood at home)...

Saturday, November 06, 2010

Muffins Fix

Grimlock has moved on to baking exploits.  His latest attempt - chocolate chips and banana muffins.  They were yummy!

Skoda Turns Five

It was Skoda's 5th anniversary last Friday, 29 October.  Though this is a week late, I told myself I'll get down to penning this anniversary post of hers.

This girl still is a 6.5kg pack of curves.  (Now, please take a moment to admire this figure of hers in the masthead photo.) 

She still holds the strings to Grimlock's heart. 

Her latest past-time cum fitness routine is to bring down Tigger (aka fridge magnet) and deposit it at wherever she fancies.  One morning, we found Tigger on the floor outside our bedroom door.  We're thankful she didn't present us with some yucky dead insect.

Speaking of our bedroom, it still is her favourite chill-out space.  This girl must have human contact when she sleeps in our room - either in the hook of my arm or in-between my legs.  Strangely, she leaves Gimlock alone.

Skoda didn't fare well in her July Urinalysis test.  The levels of crystals and leukocytes (white blood cells) in her urine were quite high.  The latter are the warriors of the immune system and multiply in response to an infection.  When the test was repeated last month, the crystals indicator dropped to an acceptable level, while the leukocytes level remained the same.  She is due for her next review in November/December.  Skoda is not on any medication.  We're maintaining a tight control over her diet, ie Waltham Feline Urinary S/O. 

All things aside, Skoda is still very much a 'chio'* babe (and one with loads of character and intelligence).  And of course, gratification comes just by looking at her...

 

* 'chio' = pretty